Category: Commemorate - Reading the Signs

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Seán Ó Ríordáin b. 1916.12.03

3/12/2017

Today’s listing from Stair na hÉireann advised that on this day in 1916, Séan Ó Ríordáin was born.

This prompted a reminder to self to finish the grouping of the very many photographs and start uploading here. I have spent a while this afternoon putting together the different aspects relating to Seán Ó Ríordáin that I have encountered in the past few years – as well as a bit of a distraction on YouTube.

SEE ALL HERE

It has also provided a reminder to get back to the exercise of using the poems of Ó Ríordáin to increase my vocabulary.

Headless in the Glen of The Wedge

11/11/2017

I was sorting through some photographs taken during the Summer and spotted that today was the anniversary of the Earl of Desmond.

As good a reason as any to try to get back to more regular blogging.

Logainm assists with the meaning of Glenageenty – Gleann na Ginnte

Another word added to my Irish vocabulary – dícheann – to behead

Two Firsts

17/8/2017

I spotted this roadside memorial for the first time in the past few weeks.

I travel that road fairly regularly during the summer months so suspect that it may have been erected within the last year.

I have visited very many cemeteries and have photographed hundreds of roadside memorials. This is the first that I can recall being made of horseshoes.

I do have a recollection of trying to play Horseshoes when on holiday in Wexford in the 70’s before my teenage years. I do not think that I have held a horseshoe in my hands since.

Maybe many, or even all, horseshoes have a stamp of the initials of the blacksmith but I had never spotted this detail until this memorial on the Mallow to Killarney road, a little before Longueville turn-off. This has now been mentally filed away for cross-checking in the future.

I do not know who this cross commemorates. It did cause me to stop, stand and ponder for a few minutes.

Registered????

16/8/2017

To what does ‘Registered’ refer, when carved on a headstone?

I was in Kilshannig Cemetery, near Mallow, a few weeks back and noted this headstone to remember Maryanne Turner who died in 1839.

I cannot recall seeing the word ‘Registered’ on a headstone previously.

Maybe some burials were not registered with the church/cemetery authorities.

Maybe not all deaths were registered – or even all births.

Another item has gone onto that ‘TO FIND OUT MORE’ list……..

UPDATE 2017.08.17

Many thanks to John Tierney who provided some education and guidance on Twitter to effect that –

We see if fairly regularly throughout the country - it means they bought and registered the plot with the powers that be - usually the COI.

I think in Garrankennefick (nr Aghada, Cork) there is a "Registered and three foot on either side"

Look what they started 130 years ago

24/7/2017

Two week ago, I had an early start for a number of meetings in Waterford. I afforded myself the luxury of a slow-ish spin home and some stops for discovering and learning – there are always new plaques and signs to be read.

The leisurely speed presented the opportunity to spot a plaque in the grounds of a GAA Club through the fields. I went exploring and learnt.

I had known that in the early years of inter-county G.A.A. matches, the county was represented by a Club – effectively similar to the All-Ireland Club Championship as is now. This had been filed away in my knowledge bank with Kildare’s white jerseys being first worn by Clane who represented Kildare in their first inter-county match.

I did not know that the first round of inter-county matches was held in 1887, 130 years ago, on this day. Ballyduff Lower represented Waterford and this plaque was erected to record the event.

I was somewhat surprised at the listing of 33 names but assumed that it related to all players who played in the county championship as well as the inter-county.

The entrance gate to the club was being painted at the time when I visited. I have no doubt that the painter was a volunteer club member. It was he who educated that teams had 21 players a side in 1887. He also said that in 1987, there was 21-a-side match between Ballyduff and Young Irelands to commemorate and record the first inter-county match.

Interesting asides from the 1887 football championship include that Kilkenny beat Cork; and, that Commercials of Limerick were the inaugural winners.

I now have another prompt not to forget my wedding anniversary.

A Hidden Gem in Dingle

23/7/2017

My conversational Irish weekend took me west of Dingle last April.

Saturday late afternoon had me walking around Dingle when I came across this manhole cover.

It records the raising of the Green Irish Republic flag over the G.P.O. in Easter 1916 by Eamonn Bulfin. Finola on Roaringwater Journal educated that there were actually two flags raised with Gearóid O’Sullivan’s raising the tricolour, remembered in Skibbereen.

Dingle

Skibbereen

I was intrigued as I had not seen one of its type previously, or since – and I do look out for the likes of manhole covers.

Last week, we left our holiday location for a spin over the Conor Pass to Dingle where I was hopeful of discovering more about the manhole cover. It was the first that the Tourist Office knew about the manhole cover. They suggested a visit to the library who were equally unaware.

On the off chance that it was a specially commissioned piece, I did ask at the Green Lane Gallery but they had not spotted what is near their door.

My next step was to be a visit to the Council offices on my next trip west but the internet has provided some answers.

There were manufactured by EJ Co in Birr, Co. Offaly – the former Cavanagh plant. The August 2016 edition of the Local Authority News publication advised that the commemorative covers were designed in conjunction with Siobhan Bulfin.

Twitter revealed that Kerry County Council installed one in Listowel.

I do think that such covers are a great way to record and commemorate, as well as display art – I do hope that there will be more such commemorations to be spotted under our feet.

Patrick Costelloe - from Boolteens to New Zealand

25/4/2017

On Sunday, I was returning from my conversational Irish weekend, happy and relaxed. I decided to go along some roads not before travelled by me. I took a stroll through the cemetery at Kiltallagh, outside Castlemaine.

I met with the name of Patrick Costelloe.
I was particularly struck by the fern. To my recollection, this is the first time that I have seen a CWGC headstone with the New Zealand insignia, for someone that served in the New Zealand forces, and I have seen a few in my cemetery visits. This caused to be pause a while longer.

A tweet today from the Imperial War Museum educated that the Haka was first heard and seen by many in Europe in the fields of World War 1 when performed by New Zealand soldiers. This reminded me of Dave Gallaher.

I knew that Irishmen fought in the armies of very many different countries in World War 1. Dave Gallaher from Donegal was captain of the first All Blacks team to tour in 1905, called the Original All Blacks. He died after the Battle of Broodseinde on October 4th, 1917, shortly before his forty-fourth birthday.

Patrick Costelloe died in September 1915, less than 3 months after departing from Wellington His father was from Boolteens on the Dingle peninsula. He was born in Castlemaine and was single when he died at the age of 25 years. He is remembered on the cenotaph in Auckland.

This morning, the web advised that today is Anzac Day. It is 102 years since the Australian and New Zealand forces landing at Gallipoli. It is also the day upon which New Zealand and Australia commemorates their soldiers who were killed in war, and honours returned servicemen and women.

It has been only two days since I first learned of Patrick Costelloe. I have wondered why he travelled so far from Boolteens.

For Anzac Day, I thought I’d share his name.

Peter O’Neill-Crowley d. 1867.03.31

28/3/2017

On Sunday, I received a text about events in Ballymacoda at 7.30p.m. on Friday next, 31st March, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the death of Peter O’Neill-Crowley in Kilclooney Wood.

There is to be a commemoration at the grave followed by a display of information in the parish hall.

Then this morning’s Irish Examiner had further details of the Peter O’Neill-Crowley Commemoration Weekend including a talk at 5.30 at County Hall on Thursday and commemoration at Kilclooney on Sunday.

I first heard of Peter O’Neill-Crowley only a few years back when I read the name of the bridge near Victoria Cross.

Where Bridges Stand by Antóin O’Callaghan advises that the construction of the bridge commenced in 1820; it was named the George IV Bridge; in 1907 Cork Corporation agreed to change name; but, this change did not happen for a few years. The plaque on the bridge says 1911.

Since first spotting the name on the bridge, his name has appeared on a few plaques and memorials that I have seen.

With the 150th anniversary of his death coming up, I thought it appropriate to the plaques together.

Dr. Thomas J. Fehily d. 1918.04.13

23/2/2017

Yesterday, I learnt of Thomas Joseph Fehily of Ballineen and was prompted to do some searching.

Some years ago, I came across the treasure trove of a website, Irish War Memorials. It records memorials to those who died in wars – not graves but a memorial to those who died in any war, anywhere, anytime. I have sent on photographs of a few that I have come across on my travels. On my journey home from West Cork yesterday, I came across another.

This Grave to be Closed Forever

18/1/2017

I do like visiting cemeteries. I do like mosaics.

It is not often that the two combine but they did so in Castlebar a few months back.

I had an early morning stroll around the cemetery. I stopped to ponder at the ceramic mosaic.

It appeared to be a triple grave but if anyone else was to be buried on the left section, it would mean destroying the mosaic.

Briefly I wondered as to whether that section was full; whether a decision was made that no more would be buried on that side; or even none buried at all on that side. Then I walked on and it was mentally filed away as a potential blog, sometime.

Over the Christmas break, I spotted a tweet from GraveyardDetective where he had spotted a headstone in Anfield Cemetery upon which was engraved the message that the grave was not to be reopened after the couple were buried.

It did add a sense of mystery and intrigue.

Why?

Liam Burke (near Castletownroche)

I have seen similar messages only relating to Irish Republican Memorials but to effect that gate/wall remains until Ireland is fully free. I have never seen such a message in a cemetery.

Donal Shinnick (near Mitchelstown)

Back to Anfield - Why? Why was it necessary to have engraved? Was it obeyed?

I have no answers so your imagination is probably as good as mine, if not better – let it loose on that for a while.

A final reminder to self – better upload those mosaics that I have spotted around Cork. Until then, a taster.

Terence MacSwiney d. 25.11.1920

25/10/2016

Crawford Art Gallery

Liberty Street

Ninety six years ago, Terence MacSwiney died after 74 days on hunger strike.

I spotted quite a few tweets and blogs to record this anniversary this morning.

Reason enough to update the blog page with images of the Seamus Murphy bust of the former Lord Mayor of Cork, and some artwork that I have seen in the recent past.

Looking at it all together, there is a lot out there to prompt one to remember Tenerce MacSwiney

Kyle Street

City Hall, Cork

Remembering the International Brigade

23/10/2016

A while back I learnt of a Jewish tradition to leave a small stone on a grave.

While our children swam up and down a pool for an hour, ET and I were chatting away, as chauffeuring fathers are wont to do. He related that one day, with work, he was in a cemetery with a colleague. They spotted a Jewish grave and both stooped down to select a stone to place on the grave – unknown to the other until then, both had Jewish ancestry.

This sparked an association with me. I always have a few stones in my pocket – replacement stones are regularly acquired on beach visits. They can be left on headstones. They can rattled as worry beads/comfort beads. The few mountains that I have summited each has a stone placed by me.

I cannot remember when I started having stones – but it is many years ago. Maybe it is a Camino thing. Maybe they are just a comfort-blanket.

On Friday, I read of the death of Stan Hilton, the last surviving British member of the International Brigade.

The previous day, I left Castlebar Peace Park with one stone less in my pocket. One was used to remember Tommy Patton and David Walsh who, like many others, did not return to Ireland.

Tommy Patton remembered at 5:12

Similar Faces, Similar Fates

10/10/2016

In April, 2015, I learned of Dún an Óir and the massacre of 600 men and women. This morning’s update from Stair na hÉireann reminded that the killings took place on this day in 1580.

In April 2015, I was on my conversational Irish weekend down in Buailtín (Ballyferriter). Waking early after the first night, I set off for a walk along Béal Bán ending up at Dún an Óir where another dot of information and knowledge was added to my limited reservoir.

My first thought upon seeing the monument was that the faces were very similar to those thah I had seen at Kilmallock and Kilfinnane. I had to go back to my photos to compare and still think there is a likeness.

All three memorials are to people who died hundreds of years ago. The dead were all killed and nearly all, if not all, beheaded. These may be factors in the similarity – 'what image records might actually exist' has now gone on the list of , ‘To Find Out More’.

In searching for some more information, it appears that Bishop O’Healy, the first bishop executed by the English, arrived into Smerwick Harbour in 1579 – one year before the soldiers who built the fort at Dún an Óir – I assume its remoteness and isolation, which I appreciated that morning, did make it attractive for unseen entry to Ireland.

Just like those at Dún an Óir, Bishop O’Healy was killed in the same year as his arrival in Smerwick.

Just like part-way up Mount Brandon, the rules of bilingual signage are tweaked slightly.

Seamus Murphy 1907 – 1975

2/10/2016

This morning’s update from Stair na hÉireann advised that on this day in 1975, Seamus Murphy died.

His work has prompted quite a number of blogs here before.

I have yet to upload and create a separate section of the work that I have photographed on my travels.

For now and for today, a slideshow of a selection of his work.

A Nod to the Blacksmith

15/9/2016

Early in my blogging life, I pondered why the deceased’s qualifications might be carved on a headstone. It was the first time that I had read such detail and it did cause me to wonder why.

The time that has passed since then has allowed me to ponder why; to consider my opinion on my own degree; and, to observe many other qualifications engraved commemorating a life passed.

It is nearly thirty years since I received a piece of paper with Latin writing conferring me and acknowledging me as the holder of a degree. It has spent nearly all of the intervening period at the bottom of a drawer of a filing cabinet.

I am not sure, at this remove, that I respected the education received or the challenge set to make the grade. I suspect that this is an influencing factor in me rarely appending my qualifications to my name. They are only rolled out when really expected by the recipient of the piece of paper with my signature.

I have never thought of the letters as one of the four words that might best describe me.

Now is definitely too late. We have eyes in the front of our heads to allow us to look forward only – not any other direction. I wonder what might have happened with a different study choice and C.A.O. selection.

Seeing so many headstones with qualifications proudly displayed, I am jealous of those who were challenged by their education and who rose to the challenge; jealous of those who are so proud of their achievement that they far from hide it; and jealous of those who enjoy their work.

I have seen very many such headstones and now nod in admiration.

There are two careers in particular which demand a longer nod. The challenge of a sculptor to prepare a memorial to another sculptor – possibly his master – must be huge. On my Seamus Murphy trail, I have noted that he made the headstone to his sculptor father-in-law. ’No pressure there, then’ as the saying goes.

My admiration for the craft of the Blacksmith has been the subject of more than one or two blogs. The recording of ‘Blacksmith’ on a headstone always prompts a serious nod of appreciation and respect.

On Tuesday, in Abbeystrowry Cemetery, the headstone prompted a smile at the appropriateness of the perimeter treatment of the plot – the craft and skill did not die with James Hourihan.

I like.

Abbeystrowry Cemetery, Skibbereen

Joseph Higgins headstone, Curraghkippane by SM